The Whole Armor Of God - 'The Gospel of Peace'

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" Eph 6:15. Gospel:(Euaggelion); 'Originally a reward for good news, later becoming the Good News. The Good News of the kingdom of God and the salvation through Christ. Paul's epistles used of the basic facts of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ, and the interpretation of these facts.' This would seem pretty cut and dry; you think?! I use to think that this was simply an illustration of having your feet ready to go and share the Gospel; well in part, that is some of it; but it goes so much further than that. Remember the basic points I have been sharing about: First off, we are seated in Christ; Secondly, that these three pieces of the armor of God are attributes of us in Christ; And then, Application; Application; Application. So, the first application of this piece of armor is to remember from which we came; simple enough, right? Well, until it comes to application, then it gets a little bit complicated; we must apply this basic principle to our very existence in Christ; 'We once lived in darkness, separated from God by sin, and it is only by God's Grace that we are saved; it is not by anything we have done. "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph 2:8 & 9. This basic principle must be applied in our lives and to our very existence in Christ, to keep us humble and grateful before the Lord. Secondly, as we walk in Christ, there is a preparation of our lives to exemplify the Gospel. In other words, the peace, love and hope that is shed forth into our very lives, should cause others to want what we posses; after all, who would be interested in knowing the God that saved you, if you were walking around like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. If you do not think this is important to your very existence in Christ, you are wrong. We must walk like we really believe that we have been snatched from the very Eternal Fires of Hell; that God loves us enough to send His Son to die for our sins, even while we hated Him; and that there is a place reserved for us in Heaven for all eternity. If that doesn't do it for you, well maybe you need to go back to the very basics, and revisit the Cross; "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph 2:10. It is not just for others to see this in us, but also for us to experience the Joy, Peace, Love and Hope of God as we walk in them; "Do You Understand The Words Coming Out Of My Mouth"; great, now lets move on to standing. This is the bottom line, (or actually the Glory); we are not saved for ourselves; God has fitly framed us together as a building, growing into a holy temple; of which you are one part. This really bumps it all up a few notches, doesn't it? Paul reapplies this fact throughout the Book of Ephesians; We are not just saved to receive salvation from sin, but to be a part of this illustrious temple, which is the Body of Christ, of which Jesus is the Head. Paul also refers several times to how this is such a great mystery, (Eph 3:3 & 5:32); I am inclined to believe that anytime God is manifested there is Jesus; from the very beginning, when God spoke; to the Sword posted at the entrance to the Garden of Eden; the Burning Bush that Moses knelt before; and on and on and on. In a nutshell, think of it like this: You were once in darkness, but now you are in the light; and now you must walk as a light unto others; knowing that you are one of many other lights that make up a Illustrious, Glorious and Holy Temple of the Living God; in fact, you are actually a manifestation of Jesus. Having done all to stand... (Next: "Taking Up")